Man charged in shooting at now closed Hartford bar

HARTFORD >> Hartford police have charged a city man with firing a gun inside a North End bar that is now closed after multiple shootings and stabbings in recent months.

Thirty-five-year-old Johnny Lawrence was arrested Wednesday on charges including unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit and reckless endangerment. He’s detained on $300,000 bail. It’s not clear if he has a lawyer.

No one was injured in the March 14 shooting inside the Cleveland Cafe. Police say they found nine spent shell casings in a bar area and in the floor. Authorities believe the shooting spurred from a fight between two women.

Officials say workers at the bar never reported the shooting to police.